Here is a roundup of the latest developments on the coronavirus pandemic in the Greater Toronto Area for Tuesday:
Ontario reports 551 new coronavirus cases, total rises to 11,735 with 622 deaths
Ontario reported 551 new cases of the novel coronavirus on Tuesday and 38 additional deaths, bringing the provincial total to 11,735 cases.
The death toll has risen to 622.
Meanwhile, 5,806 people have recovered from COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, which is 49.5 per cent of cases.
Greater Toronto Area public health units account for 58.7 per cent of all cases in the province.
Status of COVID-19 cases in Toronto
Dr. Eileen de Villa, Toronto’s medical officer of health, said as of Tuesday afternoon, there were 3,462 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 358 probable cases.
Of the confirmed and probable cases, she said 109 of the 281 hospitalized Toronto residents were in ICU beds.
To date, 190 Toronto residents have died from COVID-19.
31 dead at Pickering nursing home, staff say
A nursing home in Pickering is reporting that 31 residents have died of complications from COVID-19.
April Beckett, acting executive director of Orchard Villa, told Global News in a statement on Tuesday that the facility is experiencing an outbreak of the virus.
“Our main focus remains on the care and safety of our residents,” Beckett wrote.
READ MORE: Pickering nursing home reports 31 residents have died of COVID-19
Loblaws gives healthcare workers priority access to its grocery stores
CEO Galen Weston announced that Loblaws is now providing priority access for healthcare works, throughout the entire day, who show their ID.
“These essential frontline employees will get priority entrance to our supermarkets and drugstores,” Weston said in a statement.
“We owe it to all Canadians to make things better, not harder. But that is especially true of our healthcare workers who are under incredible strain. They spend long and stressful shifts supporting directly impacted individuals, and often don’t know when exactly they will be working from week to week. This uncertainty makes shopping for their own essentials very hard.”
Costco also offered the same access to healthcare workers and included first responders. Longo’s also offered priority access to healthcare workers and first responders last week.
York police charge man who intentionally coughed on money at convenience store
York Regional Police say a 39-year-old man has been charged after he allegedly intentionally coughed on money and wished COVID-19 on an employee at a Markham convenience store.
Police said a man went to buy something from a store at 6605 Highway 7 East on April 12.
While at the counter, a 17-year-old store employee asked the man to maintain physical distance and adhere to the taped off lines on the floor that the store created for customers per health recommendations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
2-year anniversary of Toronto van attack to be commemorated virtually
The City of Toronto says it will be commemorating the second anniversary of the Toronto van attack on Thursday, virtually, due the coronavirus pandemic.
“This year’s commemoration will take place online due to the COVID-19 pandemic and consideration for public health and safety,” the city said in a statement.
On the afternoon of April 23, 2018, Alek Minassian rented a van and drove down Yonge Street, starting at Finch Avenue, killing 10 pedestrians and injuring 16 others.
The city said to mark the time of the incident, flags at Nathan Phillips Square and Mel Lastman Square will be lowered to half-mast at 1:30 p.m. Thursday for the remainder of the day.
“To help keep our community safe during the COVID-19 crisis, residents are respectfully requested to adhere to public health orders and refrain from gathering to lay flowers or other memorabilia at the incident sites,” the city said.
Toronto-area national park reports illegal garbage dumping
Staff at Rouge National Urban Park, located at the Toronto and Durham Region border, are asking for the public’s help in putting a stop to illegal trash dumping in its vicinity amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Parks Canada, who manages the park, said there has been a “significant” increase in the illegal dumping of garbage, including bags of household waste and construction material.
The park, which is home to almost 2,000 species, has been closed to visitors in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19. All parking lots, washrooms and day facilities, as well as the park itself remains closed.
Toronto’s general manager of emergency management provides update on City’s PPE
Matthew Pegg, the City of Toronto’s general manager of emergency management, provided an update on the City’s stockpile of personal protective equipment (PPE).
He said based on current consumption rates, the City has 101 days worth of N95 masks, 182 days worth of surgical masks (the City recently received three million masks), 56 days worth of disposable protective gowns and 25 days worth of face shields.
In a worst-case scenario, Pegg said there are 31 days worth of N95 masks, 87 days worth of surgical masks, 20 days worth of gowns and seven days worth of face shields.
City of Toronto preparing flood plans in the event of increased Lake Ontario water levels
Pegg also announced the City of Toronto is working with the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority to prepare plans in the event of flooding due to increased Lake Ontario water levels.
He said the emergency operations centre is making preparations factoring in the ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
As of Tuesday, Pegg said Lake Ontario was at 75.39 metres. In 2019, he said the peak was 75.95 metres. At this time, he said the forecast calls for lower water levels than last year. Several areas across Ontario experienced flooding in 2019 due to higher water levels.
If water levels exceed 75.5 metres, Pegg said it will trigger an immediate convergence of teams and the enactment of flood mitigation plans.
Ontario coroner’s office implements changes in wake of COVID-19 pandemic
Ontario’s chief coroner says they have had to implement major changes as to how his office, funeral homes and hospitals handle the deceased throughout the coronavirus pandemic.
Speaking with Global News Radio 640 Toronto, Dr. Dirk Huyer said changes were made in the interest of the health and safety of everyone involved.
The changes came into effect last week and include all deaths in Ontario, not just those who have passed away due to COVID-19.
Ontario government announces additional relief to most vulnerable
The Ontario government announced it is investing $11 million for vulnerable citizens such as seniors and people with disabilities during the coronavirus pandemic.
The money will help deliver meals, medicine, and other essentials to those in need, and include doubling the Guaranteed Annual Income System (GAINS) payments, the province said.
“As we face some of the darkest times in our province’s history, we have a duty to protect and care for the most vulnerable in our society,” Ford said.
“Our seniors and people with disabilities are the most at risk during this crisis, and we must go above and beyond to ensure they get financial relief, food, medicine and other essentials without delay.”
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